A week after struggling against Navy's triple-option offense, the University of Houston is preparing for a heavy dose of a different kind.

Tulsa's up-tempo offense isn't as unique as the triple option, but it creates challenges. The Golden Hurricane go warp speed with the number of plays they run behind a punishing ground attack led by workhorse D'Angelo Brewer and big-strike capability of quarterback Dane Evans.

Defensive coordinator Todd Orlando said the 13th-ranked Cougars have to move on after allowing 306 rushing yards in the 46-40 loss to Navy. UH entered that game with the nation's top rush defense, allowing 42 yards per game. The Cougars (5-1, 2-1 American Athletic Conference) are now fourth nationally, allowing 86 rushing yards.

"We're all kind of embarrassed, but at some point you have to put it away," Orlando said. "You can't have a disappointing performance and sit there and talk about the things you could have done better and let that affect the next game."

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Storyline: No. 13 Houston is coming off a loss for only the second time in the last 22 months. Tulsa is coming off a pair of overtime wins over San Jose State and SMU. UH has scored at least 40 points in a nation-best five straight games; Tulsa has reached that mark in three consecutive games.

Houston can win if: The Cougars avoid some of the costly turnovers that plagued them in the 46-40 loss to Navy. Coach Tom Herman says UH trains for chaos, and that will be tested by a Tulsa offense that is averaging more than 90 plays per game.

Tulsa can win if: It gets another big game from Keevan Lucas, who has at least 100 receiving yards in four games this year, with UH focused on limiting running back D'Angelo Brewer.

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Brewer has carried the load for Tulsa (4-1, 1-0) with 716 rushing yards, which leads the conference and is seventh nationally. His 143 yards per game is fourth among backs in Football Bowl Subdivision.

Brewer followed a 242-yard game against San Jose State with 182 yards against SMU. In both games, a pair of overtime wins, Brewer totaled 84 carries.

"He's dynamic," Orlando said. "He can hit the home run on you."

Tulsa's offense also has the ability to wear down opponents. The Golden Hurricane lead the nation with an average 92.2 plays against FBS opponents, including at least 100 in each of the last two games.

"Their offensive tempo can get you a little bit tired and then they will hit you with run after run after run," Orlando said. "It's a challenge."

Balanced attack

UH coach Tom Herman said it's quite an adjustment defensively a week after playing against a triple-option offense.

"In fact, it makes it harder," he said. "The triple option always causes you to change your entire defense. You only have a week to do that and then you spend a week changing it back. I think our guys are more accustomed to this type of offense and kind of run game. They are definitely more committed to the run game this year than they were last year, and quite frankly they should be. They are really, really good at running the football."

Orlando said the Cougars must be aware of stacking the box to stop the run and leaving themselves open to a big pass play by Evans. UH must also shore up its tackling, which was an issue against Navy. The Midshipmen also did a good job blocking on the perimeter.

Evans has thrown for 1,135 yards with his primary targets being Keevan Lucas (36 catches for 508 yards) and Josh Atkinson (32 catches for 354 yards).

"You have to stop the run first," Herman said. "Everything we do revolves around stopping the run. Then you adjust from there if they're hurting you in the pass game."

Tulsa is nearly split down the middle on offense, averaging 230.4 yards on the ground and 244 yards through the air.

Two starters to return

The UH defense will receive a boost with the return of two starters. Linebacker Steven Taylor was suspended for the Navy game due to a violation of team policy, and cornerback Brandon Wilson will return after missing three games with a high ankle sprain.

UH linebacker D'Juan Hines said the Cougars are ready to atone for last week's performance.

"Yeah, that felt like a hit in the mouth," he said. "We're just going to get back to the drawing board."

Joseph Duarte has been a sports reporter for the Houston Chronicle since August 1996. He currently covers college athletics, focusing on the University of Houston. Previously, he wrote about the Houston Astros from 1998-2002, Houston Texans from 2002-05 and the Texas Longhorns from 2005-09. He came to the Houston Chronicle as part of an internship through the Sports Journalism Institute in 1995.